Student performances transformed into emotional storytelling under the helpful eye of Tony-nominated actress Megan Hilty. As Musical Theatre and Integrated Arts students welcomed the “9 to 5” star to the Webb Theatre for the Master Artist Series, four talented students—three musical theatre and one integrated arts—were given the opportunity to receive professional advice from Hilty regarding their performances.
Mixing industry secrets with thoughtful advice, Hilty joked with students on stage while encouraging them to explore what personally inspired them to sing their selections. For junior musical theatre student Maggie Gidden, the specific direction Hilty provided helped her to give a more meaningful performance.
“Her advice about showing everyone who you are really resonated with me and demonstrated that analyzing my acting choices can be as simple as thinking about my own life experiences,” Gidden said.
Hilty, the Carnegie Mellon alumna whose experience ranges from playing Glinda in “Wicked” on Broadway to playing Ivy Lynn on NBC’s “Smash” (#teamivy), encouraged students to understand their song choice, but to also remember to insert pieces of themselves into their performance.
“When we pick these songs and watch these amazing people sing them, it’s great to do your research…then you have to let go of it. People want to see what you bring to it,” Hilty said.
To help musical theatre sophomore Justin Joung feel the urgency of his song, “Mama, A Rainbow,” Hilty joined him on stage to help him act out the performance. Joung soon realized there was more to singing than having a wonderful voice.
“I learned that when you’re singing a song, the acting is just as important as singing the notes,” Joung said. “Each lyric needs to have meaning and context as you sing it to really pull out the character in you.”
Hilty hoped her visit would not only help students connect more deeply with their roles and performances in the future, but would help prepare them for a future in the arts.
“I always think it is so helpful that we, as artists, all work together, and that we talk about what is actually happening instead of maintaining some ‘idea’ of what Broadway is, thinking it is some glamourous thing that’s so far away. It’s neither of those things. It’s actually closer and more accessible than you think, but it’s a lot harder than you think,” Hilty said.
Hilty said that no matter where you go, the discipline and work ethic gained through training in the arts is priceless. As for the Master Artist Series, she said she was very pleased to see students exposed to master classes so early on in their artistic journeys.
“I think it’s important for students to hear from people in the profession, and from as many people as possible, because there is no one way to be an artist. There is no one way to get to Broadway. There’s no one way to get and keep a career in this business,” she said. “So as many people as you can hear from and glean form their experiences, the better off you’ll be.”